Echo: Interest in Saints star

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Liverpool are interested in signing Dejan Lovren this summer - but are yet to table a formal offer for the Southampton defender.

The Croatian international has emerged as the Reds' top defensive target, as Brendan Rodgers looks to tighten up a backline which leaked 50 league goals last season.

Rodgers believes the 24-year-old would provide the strength and leadership qualities which the Ulsterman feels Liverpool lack, though the ECHO understands the Reds are yet to make a concrete bid at this stage.

Liverpool are already looking to sign another Southampton star, Adam Lallana, though that deal will have no impact on their pursuit of Lovren.

Talks to bring Lallana to Anfield are still ongoing.

Lovren cost Saints £8.5m when joining from Lyon last summer, and enjoyed a stellar first season in the Premier League.

He has experienced Champions League football during his time in France, which is another factor in his favour.

Rodgers is also monitoring Cardiff centre back Steven Caulker and is keen on Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno, as revealed in the ECHO last week.

Ryan Bertrand and Guilherme Siqueira are potential back-up targets if a move for Moreno does not come off. Reports linking the Reds with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can, however, are premature. The versatile Turk has been watched, but a move is not imminent.

Liverpool believe the fact Bayern Munich have a buy-back option on the 20-year-old would make any potential deal difficult, though they remain admirers.